NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 26, 2022

by | Oct 26, 2022 | News, NHL | 38 comments

Recaps of Tuesday’s games including the Golden Knight’s Phil Kessel setting the league’s Ironman record and the Wild’s Marc-Andre Fleury reaching a goaltending milestone, plus the latest on the Canadiens’ Carey Price and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Phil Kessel set the NHL’s Ironman record by playing his 990th consecutive game and scored his 400th career goal as the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-2. Shea Theodore had a goal and an assist while Adin Hill made 29 saves for the win as the Golden Knights improved their record to 6-2-0 while the Sharks drop to 2-7-0.

Vegas Golden Knights winger Phil Kessel (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to Kessel on setting a league record for consecutive games and reaching the 400-goal milestone.

Marc-Andre Fleury made 26 saves to backstop the Minnesota Wild over the Montreal Canadiens 3-1. It was Fleury’s 944th career game, moving him past Curtis Joseph into sixth place on the all-time games-played list for NHL goaltenders. Joel Eriksson Ek scored twice for the Wild as their record improves to 2-3-1 while the Canadiens fall to 3-4-0.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Habs winger Cole Caufield tallied his fifth goal in seven games.

New Jersey Devils winger Jesper Bratt scored twice and collected an assist as his club defeated the Detroit Red Wings 6-2, handing the latter their first regulation loss of the season. Jack Hughes, Dougie Hamilton and Ryan Graves each had two points for the Devils (4-3-0) while Dylan Larkin and Dominik Kubalik replied for the Red Wings (3-1-2).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Devils winger Ondrej Palat missed this game with a lower-body injury and is considered day-to-day.

Colorado Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev kicked out 44 shots against his former club in a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers. Mikko Rantanen and Evan Rodrigues scored in the shootout as the Avs record moves up to 4-2-1. Adam Fox scored for the Rangers (3-2-2) in the third period to send the game into overtime and the shootout.

The Boston Bruins got goals from David Pastrnak, Taylor Hall and Patrice Bergeron to down the Dallas Stars 3-1. Linus Ullmark made 30 saves as the Bruins improve to 6-1-0 while the Stars fall to 4-2-1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen missed this game with an undisclosed injury and is listed as day-to-day. Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo returned to action after missing four games with a concussion.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri scored twice and added an assist while Jacob Markstrom stopped 32 shots in a 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jonathan Huberdeau also scored for the Flames (5-1-0) while Evgeni Malkin replied for the Penguins (4-2-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penguins winger Jake Guentzel missed his third straight game with an upper-body injury while Jason Zucker is with a suspected right-hip injury suffered during their loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Oct. 24.

Jonathan Quick made 23 saves while Gabriel Vilardi had a goal and an assist as the Los Angeles Kings doubled up the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 to improve their record to 4-4-0. The Lightning (3-4-0) got goals from Nikita Kucherov and Brandon Hagel.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning appear to be feeling the effects of a long 2021-22 season and a shortened offseason after their third straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final.

Patrick Kane tallied his first goal of the season and added an assist as the Chicago Blackhawks upset the Florida Panthers 4-2. Alex Stalock stopped 29 shots for the 4-2-0 Blackhawks. Matthew Tkachuk was one of the goal scorers for the Panthers (4-2-1).

The Seattle Kraken improved their record to 3-3-2 by downing the Buffalo Sabres 5-1. Daniel Sprong had a goal and two assists while Martin Jones made 15 saves for the win. The Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin saw his record-setting, season-opening goal streak for defenseman end at five games while his club’s record drops to 4-2-0.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer missed this game as he was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury.

Three-point performances by Shayne Gostibehere (two goals, one assist) and Clayton Keller (three assists) powered the Arizona Coyotes (2-4-0) over the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-3, dropping the latter’s record to 3-5-0.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine was held scoreless as he returned from injured reserve. Earlier in the day, the Jackets announced forward Justin Danforth will be sidelined for six months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum.

HEADLINES

THE ATHLETIC: Canadiens goaltender Carey Price revealed his battle with alcoholism pushed him to seek help through the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program last fall.

The 35-year-old said it was the combination of coming so close to his goal of winning the Stanley Cup in 2021, followed by knee surgery and the realization that he’s in the latter stages of his career. “I was not a happy person, I wasn’t being a good father. I was drinking a lot,” he said.

Price also admitted the pressure to perform game in and game out was not easy to handle and became a weight on his mind.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Price isn’t ready to retire and continues to explore treatment for his injured knee. What’s most important is his life and health beyond the rink. He recognized he had a problem and sought treatment voluntarily. Best wishes to Price in his ongoing sobriety.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Toronto Maple Leafs placed Jake Muzzin on long-term injury reserve due to a neck injury. It provides the Leafs with an additional $5.625 million of cap relief.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We don’t know how long Muzzin will be sidelined. If he’s out for the season they could use it to bolster their roster. If he’s not, they’ll have to ensure they’re cap compliant when he returns to action.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Flyers winger James van Riemsdyk will undergo surgery on Friday to repair a fractured finger.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A tough break (no pun intended) for van Riemsdyk, who was off to a good start with five points in his first six games of this season.

THE ATHLETIC: The St. Louis Blues placed forward Pavel Buchnevich on injured reserve with a lower-body injury.







38 Comments

  1. Hey Joe, Hampus has been excellent, Matt hasn’t lost a step, Carlo’s looked good.
    Taylor’s having a resurgence. Still need a few pieces for the b’s to advance further than the 1st round what do you think? Ullmark at the moment is the number 1 goalie he has been the bruins best player. Oh by the way congrats going out to Mr. Know it all and his friend.
    Off to work, later tonight hockey game at the arena a little four on four. makes it easier to score.

  2. Kudos to Carey for getting help from the effects of the Montreal pressure cooker! And of course, Price will not retire yet! It would seem that Price will be pressured to NOT retire by management until they can manage without Price’s LTIR!!

    • Plus he is not going to walk away from $24M!!!!

  3. I hope Jake Muzzin enjoys his season-long vacation on Robidas Island

    • Funny how that happens!

    • Ahhhh…. Kick a Leaf fan when they’re down (😢)…. Ouch!!

      • But you have to admit, Pengy, it is convenient, coming at a time when they’re desperately searching for cap flexibility and the subject being probably the least mobile among their D.

      • Agree convenient

        Bug with so much scrutiny now re LTIRs…. I believe, just a coinkydink

    • Isn’t Muzzin the Leafs second-best d-man?

      • KevJam, purely from an outsider’s point of view, and on the basis of a combination of puck handling/mobility and physicality I’d rate the Leafs D in this order

        Rielly
        Brodie
        Giordano
        Liljegren (LTIR)
        Sandin
        Muzzin (LTIR)
        Holl
        Benn (LTIR)

    • I sure hope so. Win any way you can!

      But on a serious note, any thoughts on Barry Trotz comments regarding coaching pressures on Canadian teams (as well as NY teams) and an offer from an original six would intrigue him? Fanning the flames or prediction?

      • George,
        I would put Jake Muzzin further up the chart @#3-4 even with his Injury’s

        Gio at 3 is getting old and slowing down.. i though on the last game i watched

        When Muzzin is out the lineup there d gets pushed around way to much❗️

        Both Liljegren and Sandin play a Soft Game,
        Holl is a good 3rd pair d/man

        Leafs d is Mediocre this season again, after the top pairing.

        1-Rielly
        2-Brodie
        3-4Giordano?
        3-4-Muzzin?

        5-Holl
        ?-Liljegren , 6-7
        ?-Sandin ,6-7

        8-Benn (LTIR)

        Regarding a Maple Leaf Trade they have Zero Cap room to play with, it will be a money out money in Trade, apart from picks and prospects, they need to clear Salary…?
        looking at there big 4 up front
        the Leafs biggest trade chip as far as money go’s
        William Nylander at $6.M
        Nobodys is taking back Muzzin at $5.6M for 2 more years, they need to build there d up.
        its going to be interesting to see what way the Leafs go….🤔

    • Not fair comment, George. Muzzin is dealing with legit and serious issues. His career may be over.

      • I hadn’t heard that BCLeafFan. Last I heard they were saying it isn’t concussion-related – more a neck strain.

        Is there some new prognosis out on his injury? I looked but can’t find anything newer than 6 days ago.

      • If you see Muzzin’s reaction to a couple of hits, and if you listen carefully to a couple of comments by teammates, it seems clear that he is dealing with post concussion symptoms which come and go.
        Maybe he’ll get lucky like Sidney Crosby and carry on for several years but the odds aren’t in his favor.
        Pretty sure the Leafs would rather have a healthy Jake Muzzin than LTIR space.

  4. Congrats Phil…. Good on ya….. game 1,000 (consecutive) will be v Yotes

    Song comes to mind re Phil … streak setting game and 400th goal…. now is the little red-headed kid in the commercial going to stop singing…. “ I wish I was an Oscar Meyer wiener that is what I really like to be.….” to…” I wish I was a little Philly Kessel, that is what I really like to be..”

    Sorry…. Had to

    Price…. I’m sure he’d love to be healthy and playing…. but facing potentially permanent discomfort…. Fully understand…. I can see him stay with Habs in some sort of capacity post his likely LTIR retirement

    Muzzin out for maybe the year…. Are we now going to hear more Chychrun to Leafs rumours…. LOL

    Pens…. 2 straight losses…. 🤬😭Outdone by a very strong Flames squad. They were getting outshot tons but did rebound. Markstrom @ 970 v De Smith @ sub 890 certainly had an impact. Some costly give-aways and stupid penalty’s and brutal D also key difference makers

    Speaking of the above 3 key difference makers…. Sully… what are you doing… up to old tricks again…. Lose a game; then flip out a fair performing Pen (P-O J… only Pen to be a plus (in plus minus) in EVERY game this season) and bring in Ruhweedel….resulting in CR having an absolutely brutal game with many many many mistakes. And it’s not the Lefty-Righty balance excuse as Sully flipped out the lefty (and far better) P-O J; to bring in the righty Ruhweedel. This move was mind-boggling. Not saying CR solely caused the loss; but he was directly the cause of 1 goal; had a brutal game; had 2 penalties; was a rarely in position ; and hung his D partner out to dry over and over again…. Sully…. Next game P-O J in; CR out… a must

    He should have waived CR and kept Friedman to start the season. Friedman played well pre-season

  5. As a Laugher At All Things Leafs, I really hope to see Dubas trade for Chychrun to replace Muzzin.

    It should keep him out of Ottawa news…for the time being.

    • I’m with you there Artsy19 – remove the temptation from Dorion. The Leafs could then add an injury-prone good D to an injury-prone good goalie.

      • George you do know the 4 full seasons that Thomas Chabot has played in, he only played one full season. last season he played 59 of 82 games, the other seasons not as significant.

      • Yes I do. And while you’re right, your point is? I thought we were talking here about the Leafs.

        If you want to talk about the Senators, I totally agree Chabot misses more than a fair share of games – in his case it could come from sheer over-use by Smith who has trotted him out there over 30 minutes a game on average.

        That alone increases his odds of accumulating dings.

      • Caper sounds like he’s not just interested on piling on the Leafs or like many, bored of it on here?

        He makes a good point, good enough not to just say, your point is? We all know his point.

      • I don’t. When it’s on subject no one is more critical of certain aspects of the Senators than I.

        In responding to Artsy19 I was simply saying I’d rather see the Leafs get Chychrun (they have been rumoured to be interested) thereby removing the temptation from Dorion to cough up more than an oft-injured player should command.

        If they did get him, they would then have an injury-prone D to go along with an injury-prone goalie. Facts are facts. How do you see that as “piling on?”

        Do I think Chabot misses far too many games through dings on his body? Absolutely. I also think that, in his case anyway, that COULD come from Smith tending to have him out there about 6 to 8 minutes more per game than should be the case.

        They ARE in a re-build phase, after all. Winning to the point where they challenge this year for a playoff spot would be nice – but it’s not worth losing your top D, possibly on LTIR.

        As others have pointed out, they have decent prospects like Thompson and Bernard-Docker who need to be up and playing and learning from their mistakes.

        Just my opinion.

    • Looks like Josh Norris is done for the season. What tough luck for the Sens. Maybe Brassard can fill the gap at least partially. If not, I see Pinto moving up to the second line and maybe Greig being tried on the third line. At least the Sens have some decent options.

      • I don’t know, pretty convenient if you ask me.

      • Bazinga. The difference being, they don’t need Norris’ cap hit for cap relief.

      • Very true Hossaheat. If I had to bet, at this early stage I’d say they’ll leave Pinto between Motte and Joseph for now on that 3rd line which seems to be clicking on all cylinders. No need to disrupt what’s working.

        Brassard is a crafty veteran who could do OK over the short haul between two bug power forwards like Tkachuk and Batherson, leaving Stutzle between DeBrincat and Giroux on the 2nd line, again since it’s been an effective combination so far.

        If Brassard falters they could also move Giroux to C with DeBrincat at LW and deal for an experienced winger (easier than finding a second line C).

        The 4th line with Kastelic centering Kelly at LW and Watson at RW is quite effective at what they do … physically punish the opposition with solid forechecking over about 8/9 minutes a game.

        None of it ideal … but thankfully they’re in a better position to withstand such a loss than they’ve been in 5 years.

        In any event, if Dorion is still talking with other GMs about a deal … switch gears away from a D and towards a winger

  6. I am slightly relieved after watching Avalanche last night, they really put in a good effort. I am concerned about Stanley Cup hangover as George O brought up recently. They were skating right from the get go. It was obvious they were ready to go and they have to play that way if they want to repeat last year’s success or if they even want to get that far. Nice to see! Outside of some really dumb penalties by Manson and MacKinnon, they were clicking on all cylinders. As a result, they were rewarded. Simple. Not that they’re going to win every night but when they play like that not many teams can beat them. GO AVS!!!!!!!

    • That one was a barn-burner tommyboy. Colorado fired 44 shots at Shesterkyn while former Ranger goalie Georgiev stopped 44 of 46!

    • George,
      Regaring the Sens and Mr Dorion…

      I think they are the leading Team to landing LD man Jakob Chychrun…after he has played 5+ games to show he is fit and completely recovered from his injurys.🤔

      once they sort out 23 yr old Alex Formenton❓
      He can be a Top 6 LW,
      A 1st Pick
      and Nikita Zaitsev & his $4.5M Salary who the Arizona can flip at the trade deadline this year or next and it keep AZ about the Cap Floor

  7. P.S. forgot to mention that I am happy for Price that he is continuing his efforts to remain sober!!!!!!

  8. Watched some of the Rangers vs Av’s game last night, that was entertaining hockey.

    Georgiev was certainly pumped after winning the game in the shootout. Nothing like beating the team that didn’t want you.

  9. George O and Caper that was great hockey. Really good goaltending from both. Maybe a possible preview? Too early to tell but two really good teams.

  10. I know everyone is commenting the same type of thing, but it boggles the mind how the top cap strapped teams in the NHL are the only ones with huge salary on the LTIR. It increasingly feels ever so convenient and if a team pulls what Tampa Bay did a couple years ago, it sure will be incredibly suspect. Loophole Lou sure exposed that well.

    • Most of them traded for the injured players. For the very reason of cap space Some will have issues including bruins when McAvoy
      returns

      • Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

      • Thanks for obvious.

  11. GeorgeO not good news today, sound like Norris might be done for the year.

    • With the way he held his shoulder leaving the ice it looked too much the same as Shane Pinto and Colin White the year before. If it’s the same surgery then, yes, his season is probably over before it really starts.

      Having some decent depth at C may help them overcome his huge loss, including having Giroux who has played a lot of C over his career and is great on face-offs. Brassard is OK in that sport now with Tkachuk and Batherson but I’d bet Dorion and his staff are already chewing over their internal options vis-a-vis a trade for a winger so Giroux could take over that C spot.

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